The University of Cambridge has been granted planning permission for its £1 billion development in North West Cambridge.

Local planning authorities have approved outline planning permission for the 150 hectare site which will include 1,500 homes for key University and College employees, 1,500 homes for sale, accommodation for 2,000 students, 100,000 square metres of research facilities, including up to 40,000 square metres for research institutes and private research facilities linked to the University and a wide range of community facilities. Around one third of the site will be used as public open space for sports, informal recreation and ecological use.

"This development is a major part of the University’s long term future," said Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz. "It will provide much of the residential and research accommodation that the University needs as it grows over the next 20 years.

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"Attracting world class academics, researchers and research partners is vital for the University to retain its world class position amid growing global competition.

"Being able to provide high quality, affordable housing in a thriving community will be an important element of our offer to them."

The homes will be built to high standards of design and sustainability. Houses and flats will be built to Sustainable Homes Level 5, equivalent to zero carbon. Non-residential buildings will be built to BREEAM Level Excellent, the equivalent sustainability level for other buildings. This will therefore be one of the most sustainable developments of this scale in the UK.

The University has been formulating the proposals since 2003 and has undertaken a full programme to engage local communities in the process.

The University has also developed a water management system for the entire site. This will ensure that the development does not add to flood risk and will actually improve the flood situation downstream in Girton.

Phase one of the development will be subject to approval from the University’s Regent House, which will be sought in early 2013. This will comprise around 530 homes for University staff, some 426 homes for sale, accommodation for 300 students and the local centre.

These will include a community centre, primary school, nursery, GP surgery, senior care home, supermarket and shops, hotel and police office along with much of the public open space. The community facilities will welcome people from the surrounding neighbourhoods.

The University is currently seeking residential and commercial development partners for the different elements of phase one.

(CD/GK)